Beyond Happy: Discovering Joy In Unexpected PlacesSample

Finding Joy in Purpose

Pete has a great job in aerospace and makes good money. Really good money. But he’ll be the first to tell you it doesn’t make him happy.

But when he discovered aviation, he found joy. As a pilot, he discovered freedom and a certain oneness with his Creator as he soared on wings as eagles (Is. 40:31). When he learned that he could use his skills to serve people in ministry, he found his true purpose. He still finds ways to serve God through his day job, but now he’s living fulfilled in a new purpose.

Your identity is who you are in Christ, but your purpose is what God has called you to do.

How can you find joy in your purpose? By knowing that God designed your purpose and that by following through you’ll be used to glorify Him. 

1 Peter 4:10-11 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ” (NIV).

There’s good news in that passage: God has given you a gift. And there’s even better news too: You have the privilege and opportunity to use the gifts He’s given you to glorify Him—in expected and unexpected ways!

Do you love art? Music? Accounting? Business? Hospitality? Put them to use for God’s kingdom. And when you realize that your passions and talents can make an eternal difference, you’ll see beyond the circumstances of this life to the joy of a job well done (Matt. 25:23).

Ask God how He can use the gifts He’s given you to glorify Him. When you recognize your God-given purpose, you can overflow with confident hope and joy!

Things to Ponder: 

• How would you define “purpose”?
• Write down three or four gifts, talents or passions God has given you.
• How can you use what God’s given you to serve His kingdom?